Transoral Partial Glossectomy

Transoral partial glossectomy is a key intervention in the surgical management of tongue cancer. Although there is considerable overlap in terminology, the term partial glossectomy typically refers to a procedure in which no more than one-third of the tongue is removed. When between a third to half of tongue tissue is removed, the term hemiglossectomy is more appropriate; subtotal glossectomy and total glossectomy refer to the removal of even greater proportions of the tongue. For many early, small cancers, a through-the-mouth (transoral) approach is sufficient, but depending on lesion site and size, greater access can be obtained via different oral and extraoral approaches such as a lip split or mandibulotomy, or via the neck. This chapter discusses transoral partial glossectomy, exploring its indications, reviewing established and newer surgical techniques, and discussing postoperative functional recovery.